Access to adoption information for people who do not have a direct entitlement

Under the Adoption Act 2000, birth parents and adopted people are entitled to obtain identifying information about each other when the adopted person is over the age of 18 years. Adopted people can also obtain identifying information about any brothers or sisters who are over the age of 18 years and are also adopted.

Section 140(3) of the Act allows the supply of ‘adoption information or other information to any person who is not entitled… to receive adoption information or other information… if, in the opinion of the secretary, it is reasonable to do so’.

People who are not entitled but who may be approved to receive adoption information under s140 (3) are:

people who were previously under the care of the Minister of NSW, care leavers or other people who were separated from a sibling who was adopted and no longer has a relationship with a birth parent who has an entitlement under the Act

a biological sibling or birth relative of an adopted person who has the written consent of a birth parent who has an entitlement under the Act

other people if they can demonstrate that it would be reasonable for them to be provided with adoption information.

How applications are assessed

A number of factors will be considered when making a decision about the release of adoption information to someone who does not have a direct entitlement. These will include:

the reasons you are asking for this adoption information

the age of the parties to adoption to which the information request is about. Parties to adoption include birth parent(s), adopted person and adoptive parents

the relationship between you and the parties to the adoption

whether a Contact Veto or an Advance Notice affects the release of the information that you are applying for

how it may affect the parties to the adoption if the information is supplied to you.

How to apply

Application to gain adoption information is a two step process through the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) Adoption Information Unit (AIU).

You first apply for approval to gain adoption information. If approval is provided, then you must submit an Application to obtain adoption information form.

Step 1

Send a letter to FACS AIU answering the following questions:

What details you know about the adoption such as the birth parent(s) name(s) at the time of the adoption, date of birth of the adopted person (or approximate) and the adopted person’s name

What are your reasons for applying for this adoption information?

What is your relationship with the birth parent(s)?

Is the birth parent(s) aware of your application for information? If so, what are their thoughts and feelings? If they are not aware, why aren’t they aware?

Why do you consider it to be reasonable for you to gain this adoption information?

Provide copies of the following documents:

evidence of your relationship with one of the parties to adoption (such as a birth certificate). If you are not related, other evidence will be required to establish your relationship. This can be discussed with a FACS caseworker at the AIU

certified copies of two forms of your own identification, at least one form of identification to include your signature (such as, a current photo driver’s licence, Medicare card, passport, birth certificate, health care card or pension card). If you have had a change of name (such as through marriage), evidence of this must be provided

all identification papers must be certified. The original document must be sighted by the certifier (such as, Justice of the Peace, Solicitor, Clerk of the Court, Police Officer, Bank Manager, School Principal) and on the copy of the original document, it needs to say ‘this document is a true copy of the original’ document sighted by the certifier

if the birth parent(s) supports your application, they will also need to provide a letter giving their permission for FACS to release information to you. They also have to provide two forms of certified identification, at least one form of identification to include their signature

Include a cheque or money order payable to Family and Community Services for the initial application fee of $35

Step 2

If your application is approved, you will be sent an Application to obtain adoption information form. This form allows you to apply for the following:

Adoption Information Certificate

social and medical information

registration on the Reunion and Information Register

There is an additional fee to apply for an Adoption Information Certificate (AIC) and the release of social and medical information. Concession rates apply for pensioners, Veteran Affairs, holders of the Health Care Card and for people formerly under the care of the Minister. This will be discussed with you by a Caseworker at AIU.